“For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, ‘The righteous by faith will live'” (Romans 1:17 NET).
Although modern technology continues to blur the line between what is real and what is electronically altered, many still accept the premise that “seeing is believing.” But real, Biblical faith often functions in the opposite manner: first you believe and then you see. Jesus illustrated that contrast when He told His followers, “…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24 NIV).
While some might seize upon that invitation as an opportunity to pursue any number of requests, there are limitations on the things God will give us, no matter how much faith we possess. For instance, God will never give us something that is ultimately bad for us (see Matthew 7:9-11 and James 1:17). The Scriptures also tell us that certain prerequisites are necessary if we desire to see God answer our prayers. Those includes…
- Faith (Hebrews 11:6).
- Remaining, staying, or abiding in Christ (John 15:7).
- Asking for things that are aligned with God’s character and not prompted by selfish desires (James 4:3).
- Asking for things that are in God’s will (1 John 5:14-15).
If those qualities influence the things we seek in prayer, then we are free to follow Jesus’ counsel from the Gospel of Matthew: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NIV).
We should also acknowledge the distinction between “faith” and “blind faith.” For instance, “blind faith” involves belief without evidence, or a type of faith that has no basis in reality. On the other hand, Biblical faith reflects a confident assurance that grows from the evidential nature of Jesus’ ministry. For instance, consider how Jesus appealed to the miraculous evidence He offered to support His claims…
“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:37-38).
“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:11).
“But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36).
We should never mistake genuine faith for blind faith. Instead, genuine faith involves trust in the God who demonstrates His faithfulness through the pages of the Scriptures and in the lives of His people.